Intricate relationship between cancer stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are widely acknowledged as the drivers of tumor initiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression, and metastasis. Originating from both hematologic and solid malignancies, CSCs exhibit quiescence, pluripotency, and self-renewal akin to normal stem cells, thus orchestrating tumor heterogeneity and growth. Through a dynamic interplay with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intricate signaling cascades, CSCs undergo transitions from differentiated cancer cells, culminating in therapy resistance and disease recurrence.

Anti-biofilm activity of a sophorolipid-amphotericin B niosomal formulation against Candida albicans.

Sophorolipids (SLs) have gained interest in the pharmaceutical industries due to their anti-microbial, anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm properties. In the present study, the production of SL was increased by using low-cost media components. The potential of a SL-based niosomal formulation of amphotericin B (AmB) was determined against biofilm of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Biogenic selenium nanoparticles induce ROS-mediated necroptosis in PC-3 cancer cells through TNF activation.

Background: Selenium is well documented to inhibit cancer at higher doses; however, the mechanism behind this inhibition varies widely depending on the cell type and selenium species. Previously, we have demonstrated that Bacillus licheniformis JS2 derived biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) induce non-apoptotic cell death in prostate adenocarcinoma cell line, PC-3, at a minimal concentration of 2 µg Se/ml, without causing toxicity to the primary cells. However, the mechanism behind its anticancer activity was elusive.

Early Life Pb Exposure and its Effect on Later Life Retinal Degeneration.

The study presents the longitudinal effect of early life lead exposure on retinal ischemia. Swiss albino mice were exposed to lead acetate at two different timepoints viz. postnatal day 1-20 and at 7th week of age.

Crataeva nurvala nanoparticles inhibit virulence factors and biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Green synthesized nanoparticles have gained great attention due to their non-toxic and non-hazardous nature. In the present study, bark extract of the medicinal plant in Ayurveda Crataeva nurvala (Buch-Ham) (CN) was chosen for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These NPs were characterized by Ultra violet visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra Red, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant against to Control Stalk and Ear Rot Disease of Maize.

Antifungal activity of rhamnolipids (RLs) has been widely studied against many plant pathogenic fungi, but not against , a major pathogen of maize ( L.). causes stalk and ear rot of maize or asymptomatically colonizes the plant and ears resulting in moderate to heavy crop loss throughout the world.

Biosurfactant/s from Lactobacilli species: Properties, challenges and potential biomedical applications.

Lactic acid bacteria are generally believed to have positive roles in maintaining good health and immune system in humans. A number of Lactobacilli spp. are known to produce important metabolites, among which biosurfactants in particular have shown antimicrobial activity against several pathogens in the intestinal tract and female urogenital tract partly through interfering with biofilm formation and adhesion to the epithelial cells surfaces.

Biosurfactant as a Promoter of Methane Hydrate Formation: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies.

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are solid non-stoichiometric compounds often regarded as a next generation energy source. Successful commercialization of NGH is curtailed by lack of efficient and safe technology for generation, dissociation, storage and transportation. The present work studied the influence of environment compatible biosurfactant on gas hydrate formation.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular uricase from a new isolate of Sphingobacterium thalpophilum (VITPCB5).

An extracellular uricase producing bacterium (VITPCB5) was isolated from soil of the duck farm near Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India and it was identified based on its 16S rRNA as Sphingobacterium thalpophilum. Uric acid was used as an effective inducer. The enzyme kinetics was studied using uric acid as a substrate.

Cost effective technologies and renewable substrates for biosurfactants' production.

Diverse types of microbial surface active amphiphilic molecules are produced by a range of microbial communities. The extraordinary properties of biosurfactant/bioemulsifier (BS/BE) as surface active products allows them to have key roles in various field of applications such as bioremediation, biodegradation, enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceutics, food processing among many others. This leads to a vast number of potential applications of these BS/BE in different industrial sectors.

Carum copticum and Thymus vulgaris oils inhibit virulence in Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus spp.

Emergence of drug-resistant strains has demanded for alternative means of combating fungal infections. Oils of Carum copticum and Thymus vulgaris have long been used in ethnomedicine for ailments of various fungal infections. Since their activity has not been reported in particular against drug-resistant fungi, this study was aimed to evaluate the effects of oils of C.

Sub-MICs of Carum copticum and Thymus vulgaris influence virulence factors and biofilm formation in Candida spp.

Background: Emergence of drug-resistant strains of Candida and inefficiency of conventional antifungal therapy has necessitated the search for alternative and new antifungal agents. Inhibition of virulence and biofilm are the potential drug targets. In this study, the oils of Carum copticum, Thymus vulgaris and their major active compound thymol as revealed by Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-GC/MS) analysis were tested for their inhibitory activity against growth to determine sub-MIC values against 27 drug-resistant strains of Candida spp.

Development of novel membrane active lipidated peptidomimetics active against drug resistant clinical isolates.

A new series of small cationic lipidated peptidomimetics have been synthesized and found to be highly active against several susceptible as well as drug resistant clinical isolates of bacteria and fungi. All lipidated peptidomimetics do not cause significant lysis of human erythrocytes (HC50>200μg/mL). Calcein dye leakage experiment revealed membranolytic effect of LPEP08 which was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Synthesis, in vitro evaluation, and molecular docking studies of azetidinones and thiazolidinones of 2-amino-5-cyclopropyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole as antibacterial agents.

In an attempt to find a new class of antimicrobial agents, a series of novel azetidin-2-ones 3a-e and thiazolidin-4-ones 4a-e of 2-amino-5-cyclopropyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were confirmed by melting point, IR, (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The β-lactam derivative (3e) was found to be the most potent compound of the series displaying excellent antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC values of 15.

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial evaluation and mechanistic study of ornithine based small cationic lipopeptides against antibiotic resistant clinical isolates.

We investigated the in vitro activities of short lipopeptides against a large panel of clinical isolates of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In the animal model, LP16 (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the burden of viable colony forming unit (CFU) of bacteria. MTT assay results revealed the high selectivity of lipopeptides toward microbial cells.

Persistence and biodegradation of quinalphos using soil microbes.

The present study reports the degradation of the persistent and toxic organophosphate, quinalphos, by employing microorganisms that were already members of the natural soil community for degradation. Bacillus and Pseudomonas spp., both of which are capable of degrading quinalphos from aqueous streams, were isolated from different contaminated soils.

Antibacterial evaluation of structurally amphipathic, membrane active small cationic peptidomimetics: synthesized by incorporating 3-amino benzoic acid as peptidomimetic element.

A new series of small cationic peptidomimetics were synthesized by incorporating 3-amino benzoic acid (3-ABA) in a small structural framework with the objective to mimic essential properties of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The new design approach resulted into improvement of activity and selectivity in comparison to linear peptides and allowed us to better understand the influence of structural amphipathicity on biological activity. Lead peptidomimetics displayed antibacterial activities against resistant pathogens (MRSA & MRSE).

Substrate dependent in vitro antifungal activity of Bacillus sp strain AR2.

Background: Biosurfactants are a structurally diverse group of secondary metabolites with lots of potential to serve mankind. Depending upon the structure and composition they may exhibit properties that make them suitable for a particular application. Structural and compositional diversity of biosurfactant is unambiguously substrate dependent.

Lipopeptides from Bacillus strain AR2 inhibits biofilm formation by Candida albicans.

The ability of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans to reversibly switch between different morphological forms and establish biofilms is crucial for establishing infection. Targeting phenotypic plasticity and biofilm formation in C. albicans represents a new concept for antifungal drug discovery.

Surfactin restores and enhances swarming motility under heavy metal stress.

The present work reports the importance of lipopeptide biosurfactant on swarming motility of multi-metal resistant (MMR) bacterium under heavy metal stress. The MMR bacteria strain CM100B, identified as Bacillus cereus, was isolated from the coal mine sample. The strain was able to grow and reduce several metals namely Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+) and Pb(2+) ions which are common environmental pollutants.

Gum arabic capped-silver nanoparticles inhibit biofilm formation by multi-drug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Clinical isolates (n = 55) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were screened for the extended spectrum β-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamases activities and biofilm forming capability. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the antibiofilm efficacy of gum arabic capped-silver nanoparticles (GA-AgNPs) against the multi-drug resistant (MDR) biofilm forming P. aeruginosa.

Utilization of oleo-chemical industry by-products for biosurfactant production.

Biosurfactants are the surface active compounds produced by micro-organisms. The eco-friendly and biodegradable nature of biosurfactants makes their usage more advantageous over chemical surfactants. Biosurfactants encompass the properties of dropping surface tension, stabilizing emulsions, promoting foaming and are usually non- toxic and biodegradable.